FROM KAVALA TO HAWAII

With Akrolithos natural stones, hotels and villas are built in Hawaii, Dubai and the Alps. At the foot of Mount Paggeo, in the village of Kipia, near Kavala, one of the largest stone mining companies is Akrolithos SA. An area that is famous for its natural rocks, something that is well known by the CEO John Chatzisavvas. He and his father, George, who founded the company, know very well how to export the wealth of Greece to 76 countries all over the world. How to convert natural stones into ... gold. It is no coincidence that Akrolithos won two awards in the Greek Exports Awards 2016 a few days ago. The first place for its strong export activity in recent years, but also why it has given it 'present' in 23 international exhibitions and the second position as it has one of the world's most organized natural stone demonstration sites. In the case of Akrolithos, it could well be said that everything started ... accidentally 37 years ago. One could say that the ancient notion of "no more permanent of the temporary" finds absolute application in the business history of Akrolithos. Then, after his studies, Georgios Hadjisavvas returned to Kavala and made his first professional plans. His engagement with the extraction of rocks was not in his designs. His engagement with quarries began with him until he saw what he would do in his life. So just for a pocket money. But fortune helped him and the booming development of the building gave him an incredible impetus to his work. As it was natural, he abandoned all his other thoughts about engaging in another profession and devoted himself to his own business. Today, at the helm of the company, is his son, Yannis, who, having grown up in the factory, has made the Greek stones known all over the world. The company has not only stayed in the rock quarry, but has also progressed. Indeed, it is worth noting that in recent years the largest part of the turnover is made by exports. It is characteristic that in 2008 90% of sales were made from the Greek market if only 10% of exports. The situation has now been reversed, with exports now accounting for 66% of total sales. Akrolithos products are exported to almost all European countries, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, America, Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, Venezuela, Morocco and the South Africa. The company employs approximately 120 employees, both in factories and quarries. But the plans for Akrolithos' administration do not stop here. The economic crisis may have limited the domestic sales of the company by 70%, but the company is doing a brilliant career abroad. With the aim of strengthening it in the countries that you have already penetrated, as well as promoting its products in new markets, Akrolithos is expected to make new investments directly. New investments G. Chatzisavvas's Business Plan: "Our business plan for 2017 includes new investments of € 3 million, which are related to building infrastructure and machinery so as to increase production in order to be able to meet new market conditions. The company's main line of investment is mainly in the production of new innovative products in the natural stone industry. " The products of the North Helladic company have been used to create major tourist complexes such as Hawaii Hotel in Hawaii, and a luxurious hotel in Denmark. "Our materials have been used in a number of projects within and outside of Greece, ranging from simple placement in a home to their placement in squares, hotels, and even on cruise ships and luxury villas," says the 32-year Chief Executive Officer of Akrolithos, G Chatzisavvas, with optimism for the future, arguing that in the light of product quality and innovation and excellent service, Greek businesses can find a way out of foreign markets. A LIFE IN THE FACTORY John Chatzisavvas could say that he has spent his entire life in the factory. Born in 1985, five years after the creation of the company, he recalls his childhood from a factory and the advice given by his father, George, "Working hard". "I have worked in all departments of the company" And as he says, although his studies were on business management, he thinks the biggest university is the daily effort to get better. "My primary objective is product quality. I do not care about the cost of the product, its quality. We need to learn in Greece to create high-added-value products, as the Italians, for example, do. To "chase" quality, not honor, "says John Chatzisavvas.